Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
An Early Taste Of Fall
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on August 27, 2024
We probably haven't seen the very last of summer's heat and humidity, but at least we've gotten to enjoy a break from it these past few days. It's been nice to get outside and be active without winding up drenched in sweat after only five minutes. This pleasant reprieve has given us all an early taste of the fall weather that will settle in for sure within the next month or so.
The way we see it, you might as well make the most of these beautiful days while they last, which is why we have several suggestions for things you can do outdoors in the Great Smoky Mountains. There's only one thing better than perfect weather when spending time outside, and that's having stunning mountain scenery as your backdrop.
Ride a zipline
We invite you to spend a morning or an afternoon on our zip lines in the Smoky Mountains either during the week or on a weekend. Our mountaintop canopy tour is already blessed with lots of shade, so adding milder temps and low humidity to the mix is the recipe for an unforgettable outing in the mountains. And that's just the start of your day of adventure. You'll be zooming through the air, high among the treetops, at some points more than 100 feet above the ground. Our longest ziplines are more than 800 feet long, giving you plenty of time to feel the speed and the wind and enjoy the views of the ground below, the trees on both sides and the Smoky Mountains on the horizon. Our tour also features a cool vertical descent feature as well as rides to and from the course in our open-air military transport vehicles. Holding it all together will be your team of two guides. Their number one job is to keep you safe, but they'll also give you all the instructions you'll need, even if you're a first-timer, and they do a fantastic job of keeping their guests entertained along the way.
Ride a horse
For many visitors, there's nothing quite like the view of the Smokies that can only be experienced from a saddle. If that describes you, you're in luck, because there are horseback stables located all over the Great Smoky Mountains region. The options vary from location to location, but most offer some selection of either guided or unguided tours, with horses available for all ages and experience levels. Some outings may just be short introductory rides, or you could sign up for overnight trips that cover miles and miles of trails and offer up beautiful views of the mountains and surrounding terrain.
Take a hike
Hiking is the quintessential Smoky Mountain activity, especially if you plan to venture into the national park. The park boasts more than 800 miles of hiking trails that promise outdoor wonder for all ages and capabilities. If you're just interested in a level, mile-long nature stroll, there are plenty of places to do that. If you want to climb thousands of feet to the top of some of the highest peaks in the Smokies, you can do that too. What else do you want to see? Waterfalls? Historic structures? Unique geological features? That's all on the agenda. We recommend visiting https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm and learning more about all the trails and hikes that are available. From there, you can decide what best suits your interests. But whichever you pick, we recommend that you dress for the cooler mountain temperatures and also bring along enough water and food to cover the duration of your hike.
Ride a bike
In this case, we're talking bicycle, not motorcycle. One of the most popular places to bike is also in the national park, around the Cades Cove Loop road, which covers 10 rolling miles. The route is surrounded by mountain beauty and also features hiking trails, lots of wildlife, historic churches and homes, and a visitor center where you can learn more about the cove's history. If you don't have your own bikes with you, you can rent them at the Cades Cove loop entrance. If you do have your own bikes, you might also consider taking a ride along the greenways in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, both of which run through the city, along the banks of the Little Pigeon River.
